2013 MLS SuperDraft to Stream Globally, Feature on Chicago-Fire.com

NEW YORK (January 11, 2013) – The 2013 MLS SuperDraft, presented by adidas, will be broadcast to a global audience through an innovative distribution approach featuring ESPN SportsCenter and a number of online streaming partners including ESPN3, ESPNFC, MLSsoccer.com, YouTube and Chicago-Fire.com.

The SuperDraft will take place on Thursday, January 17 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Ind., in conjunction with the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Convention. Starting at 11:00 a.m. CT, the first overall selection will be broadcast live on ESPN SportsCenter.

Fans of MLS and its 19 clubs will be able to watch the entire draft live on ESPN3, ESPNFC, MLSsoccer.com, MLS club websites and YouTube. Additional online media outlets may be added to the list of broadcast partners in the coming days.

“We are taking a more progressive and fan-centric approach to how we’re distributing and producing the 2013 MLS SuperDraft,” said MLS Chief Marketing Officer Howard Handler. “We have a young, diverse, digitally active fan base who will watch from home, from the office, from coffee shops, or just about anywhere. Soccer is a worldwide sport and this new initiative also allows us to continue catering to MLS fans across the globe.”

“We looked at the numbers from last year and draft day is the busiest day of the year for MLSsoccer.com. We thought this would be the right opportunity to step out, innovate, and do something more forward-looking.”

The HD broadcast will feature ESPN soccer commentators Alexi Lalas and Taylor Twellman, who will provide the thorough analysis that MLS fans have come to expect. They will be joined by members of the MLSsoccer.com editorial team and other guests.

The 2013 MLS SuperDraft will include two rounds and 38 overall selections. The first nine selections are currently held by clubs that did not qualify for the 2012 MLS Cup Playoffs, in reverse order of regular season finish. The remaining 10 positions currently belong to clubs that were eliminated in the same round of the 2012 MLS Cup Playoffs, in reverse order of regular season finish.